How a £3.5million project aims to revitalise Chesterfield town centre – including the famous outdoor market

The D2N2 Local Enterprise Partnership this week awarded £650,000 towards the Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield (RHOC) scheme.

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As part of the £3.5million project, the town’s outdoor market will get improved access, better lighting and power, new trading areas and repairs to existing stalls.

Improvements will also be made to Packers Row, a key pedestrian route into the town centre and market, including the planting of trees and introducing more outdoor seating for customers of local hospitality businesses.

Overseen by Chesterfield Borough Council, the redevelopment of the outdoor market is due to be finished by November 2021 and the improvements to Packers Row are expected to be complete by next March.

Ed Fordham, a market trader and Liberal Democrat councillor for the Brockwell ward, said Chesterfield town centre needs a ‘shot in the arm’.

He added: “Clearly it’s good news that Chesterfield’s outdoor market is to get investment in its infrastructure – but for the money to be used well the borough council needs to consult with market traders and think carefully about what will make a positive difference.

“Too often these schemes spend money with little benefit.”

Fellow trader Luke Povey said: “I look forward to openly discussing the plans at the next meeting of the borough council’s Market Consultative Committee and sharing the full details with all traders.

“If we get this right we will all benefit.”

Councillor Tricia Gilby, leader of the borough council, said: “The Revitalising the Heart of Chesterfield project will allow us to bring new life to our town centre and famous outdoor market, enabling us to attract more footfall and visitor spend, which will help support our local businesses and allow them to thrive.

“This project will also ensure that the town centre, and the local economy, is well placed to recover as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.”

According to D2N2, its funding will support the creation of 66 jobs as well as safeguarding 80 jobs on the outdoor market.

D2N2 interim chair David Williams said: “Town centres will no doubt have an important role in our economic recovery from the pandemic.”

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